Christoph Schubert

With Hartsburg telling Schubert that he would be a 4th line forward, and not a defenceman (much to Schubert's disappointment), what is to become of Schubert as a Senator?

He's tried and tried to earn a full-time roster spot as a defenceman, but can't seem to earn it. He could very well be a 7th-8th defenceman, but at least by playing him at forward, he will earn ice time, albeit, limited.

It is obvious (by his actions) that he is not happy to be playing forward, so is it only fait to trade him to a team that can use his services as a defenceman? To his defence, it is not easy to continually switch between forward and defence. A player has to get used to a position to master it.

My feeling is that if he is not happy, it may affect the team, similarly to Emery's actions/behavior. Point is, you don't want a bitter player in the locker room.

He's still relatively young, and has a couple years left at a decent price. Shouldn't be too hard finding a suitor for his services. A draft pick is ideally the return the Sens would be looking for. Don't need to be taking on any more salary.

I also think the Richardson signing is unfair to Schubert's situation - not that either were really going to earn the 6th spot.

So, trade him or let him sulk?

Tell him to suck it up, get out there, and earn his paycheque.
Or tell him to ride the pine.

It's a privilege to play in the NHL; there are thousands that would jump at the chance to be in his position, and earn what he is.

House-league players are told that the goal is to have fun, but that things will be done "in the best interests of the team as a whole" - and they aren't paid to play. He earns over $5K for every day through the season, game or not, and he's sulking because the coach doesn't let him do what he wants?

On the one hand I see his point. He signed a great deal (for the team) and my gut says that part of that was a verbal promise to be given the opportunity to play D. This off-season he was promised again, by Murray.

On the other hand, it's a coaching decision and, given how he played, it was a simple decision to make. In an interview Schubert said something along the lines "If someone could guarantee that I could do this job for the next 8 years, sure I'd be OK" implying that he thinks his chance at job security is playing defense. Well, I have news for you, Chris, the way you played defense in the pre-season you've got a better chance at sticking around on the 4th line.

As much as I liked Schubert's style of play, if he's going to be sulking they've got to get rid of him now.

He was upset! More of himself, but he's over it. I think there is far too much being made of this. He's still going to get key time on the point in the PK and 2nd PP, so I don't see what his problem would be.

As for what will become of him. Either he accepts his role and tries to excel at it, which is in his best interest or he sits in the press box. It's a pretty easy solution.

There's no sense even bringing up a trade, because we woud get nothing more than a pick for him and I'd much rather keep the guy here as he hits, skates and chips in offensively.

As a fan, I think HArtsburg made the best decision on what will help the team. Let's get over it and let's get this season started.

This is quite interesting, from the Ottawa Sun this morning...what's missing here...And why?....

Alfredsson will play on The Pizza Line with Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. The other combinations will be Mike Fisher between Antoine Vermette and rookie Jesse Winchester; Chris Kelly with Nick Foligno and Chris Neil and Dean McAmmond (who is nursing a cut) or Shean Donovan with Cody Bass and Jarkko Ruutu. The defensive pairings will be Phillips with Anton Volchenkov, Jason Smith and Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard with Brian Lee. Martin Gerber will be the goalie.

Maybe Murray is giving him a "time out" to let him think...

SensGirl11 wrote:This is quite interesting, from the Ottawa Sun this morning...what's missing here...And why?....

Alfredsson will play on The Pizza Line with Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. The other combinations will be Mike Fisher between Antoine Vermette and rookie Jesse Winchester; Chris Kelly with Nick Foligno and Chris Neil and Dean McAmmond (who is nursing a cut) or Shean Donovan with Cody Bass and Jarkko Ruutu. The defensive pairings will be Phillips with Anton Volchenkov, Jason Smith and Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard with Brian Lee. Martin Gerber will be the goalie.

I thought the 4th line was Ruutu-Bass-Schubert ??? What the heck is going on?

jamvan wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:This is quite interesting, from the Ottawa Sun this morning...what's missing here...And why?....

Alfredsson will play on The Pizza Line with Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. The other combinations will be Mike Fisher between Antoine Vermette and rookie Jesse Winchester; Chris Kelly with Nick Foligno and Chris Neil and Dean McAmmond (who is nursing a cut) or Shean Donovan with Cody Bass and Jarkko Ruutu. The defensive pairings will be Phillips with Anton Volchenkov, Jason Smith and Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard with Brian Lee. Martin Gerber will be the goalie.

I thought the 4th line was Ruutu-Bass-Schubert ??? What the heck is going on?

I know, me too, I was taken aback by this article, I think something's cooking...or it's a mistake...not sure..

SensGirl11 wrote:

jamvan wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:This is quite interesting, from the Ottawa Sun this morning...what's missing here...And why?....

Alfredsson will play on The Pizza Line with Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. The other combinations will be Mike Fisher between Antoine Vermette and rookie Jesse Winchester; Chris Kelly with Nick Foligno and Chris Neil and Dean McAmmond (who is nursing a cut) or Shean Donovan with Cody Bass and Jarkko Ruutu. The defensive pairings will be Phillips with Anton Volchenkov, Jason Smith and Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard with Brian Lee. Martin Gerber will be the goalie.

I thought the 4th line was Ruutu-Bass-Schubert ??? What the heck is going on?

I know, me too, I was taken aback by this article, I think something's cooking...or it's a mistake...not sure..

Well, we do have 2 too many forwards at the moment, so 2 guys are going to have to sit every night on a regular basis until we pair down the roster further (which I presume is coming at some point). While I'm surprised to see Schubert's name missing there (he's utility abilities make him an easy choice for me), I wouldn't read too much into at the moment. 2 guys have to sit at the moment, regardless.

SensGirl11 wrote:

jamvan wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:This is quite interesting, from the Ottawa Sun this morning...what's missing here...And why?....

Alfredsson will play on The Pizza Line with Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. The other combinations will be Mike Fisher between Antoine Vermette and rookie Jesse Winchester; Chris Kelly with Nick Foligno and Chris Neil and Dean McAmmond (who is nursing a cut) or Shean Donovan with Cody Bass and Jarkko Ruutu. The defensive pairings will be Phillips with Anton Volchenkov, Jason Smith and Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard with Brian Lee. Martin Gerber will be the goalie.

I thought the 4th line was Ruutu-Bass-Schubert ??? What the heck is going on?

I know, me too, I was taken aback by this article, I think something's cooking...or it's a mistake...not sure..

Dean Brown just confirmed that both DOnovan and McCammond are on the bench.

jamvan wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:

jamvan wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:This is quite interesting, from the Ottawa Sun this morning...what's missing here...And why?....

Alfredsson will play on The Pizza Line with Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. The other combinations will be Mike Fisher between Antoine Vermette and rookie Jesse Winchester; Chris Kelly with Nick Foligno and Chris Neil and Dean McAmmond (who is nursing a cut) or Shean Donovan with Cody Bass and Jarkko Ruutu. The defensive pairings will be Phillips with Anton Volchenkov, Jason Smith and Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard with Brian Lee. Martin Gerber will be the goalie.

I thought the 4th line was Ruutu-Bass-Schubert ??? What the heck is going on?

I know, me too, I was taken aback by this article, I think something's cooking...or it's a mistake...not sure..

Dean Brown just confirmed that both DOnovan and McCammond are on the bench.

Ok, so it was a mistake in the article then? That makes more sense to me.

Ruutu-Bass-Schubert

that is one hell of an ugly 4th line...and by ugly I mean...scary...

all 4 lines seem well rounded to me...

is Foligno centreing the 3rd? I hope so...he is a much better centre...than winger!

COLLAR UP wrote:Ruutu-Bass-Schubert

that is one hell of an ugly 4th line...and by ugly I mean...scary...

all 4 lines seem well rounded to me...

is Foligno centreing the 3rd? I hope so...he is a much better centre...than winger!

I just hope the fourth line doesn't kill little Karlsson before he grows up. We will need that little guy in years to come....

COLLAR UP wrote:Ruutu-Bass-Schubert

that is one hell of an ugly 4th line...and by ugly I mean...scary...

all 4 lines seem well rounded to me...

is Foligno centreing the 3rd? I hope so...he is a much better centre...than winger!

AGREED!! He's 10 times better as a centre than winger.

COLLAR UP wrote:Ruutu-Bass-Schubert

that is one hell of an ugly 4th line...and by ugly I mean...scary...

all 4 lines seem well rounded to me...

is Foligno centreing the 3rd? I hope so...he is a much better centre...than winger!

Hartsburg scouted him in the OHL and said he was one of the better center icemen in the league. Interesting twist here.